Did you know students in grades 4,7, and 10 are required to submit a physical exam within 30 days of school entry. Students in grades K-12 are also required to be fully immunized against certain diseases. Please click on the image for more information.
All year long, parents worry about the safety of their children, especially when they are in school. That’s why Westfield Public Schools started a new safety program to provide extra pairs of eyes on students this year.
It’s a pilot program called “school safety attendants” featuring volunteers who are retired or current military personnel or first responders. In exchange, they receive an incentive that may motivate others to join for the upcoming school year.
Volunteers from the “school safety attendants” program in Westfield are showing up in the schools every day, connecting with kids, and making a difference.
The program was born from joint efforts by the Westfield Public Schools, State Senator John Velis, and the city’s Veterans Affairs Department.
Stefan Czaporowski, Westfield’s school superintendent, and Christopher Rogers, the director of student interventions and safety, told Western Mass News the goals of the program are simple.
“They are building relationships; they are another set of eyes and ears in the building, and often times when there is a safety issue in the school, it is known that something is going to happen somewhere,” said Czaporowski. “So, this is just another trusted adult for our students to confide in and maybe even prevent something that might happen that way.”
This program is also the result of multiple safety concerns that have come up in recent years because of the many mass shootings in schools across the country.
“We have protocols in place, we have systems in place, and I think, and while this—I don’t know that this is going to deter it, but we hope it does— we hope it’s a deterrent, knowing that there is another adult in the building who is, you know, trained in identifying threats,” said Rogers.”
On Wednesday, Western Mass News got a chance to see one of the volunteers in action at the Southampton Road Elementary School. Carl Schwarzenback, a military veteran told us he first decided to volunteer so he could spend more time with his son Lincoln, and he really enjoys the experience.
“Teachers focus on teaching, counselors can focus on counseling, the administrators can focus on administrating, and I can be there to focus on talking or just listening, that’s it through the day,” said Schwarzenback. “Walking, getting my step count in, saying hi to kids, high fiving. It’s, it’s a lot of fun actually.”
Volunteers are eligible for up to $1,500 off their property taxes.
Czaporowski told us they started with three schools participating this year, but they are hoping to have more volunteers and reach all six of their elementary schools next year.
https://www.westernmassnews.com/2023/06/14/getting-answers-westfield-public-schools-spearheads-new-school-safety-attendants-program/
No. 1 Westfield survived a fiery effort from fourth-seeded Milford in the Division 2 boys volleyball state semifinals Tuesday night at North School in Worcester. The defending state champion Bombers won 25-21, 25-20, 20-25, 25-22 to advance to the finals.
Westfield (23-2) will square off against rival Agawam (21-2), the tournament’s No. 2 seed, in the finals Thursday at Worcester State University at 5 p.m. The Brownies earned their championship berth with a sweep of sixth-seeded O’Bryant.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/06/no-1-westfield-tops-no-4-milford-advances-to-meet-no-2-agawam-in-d2-boys-volleyball-state-championship-game.html
Join us on Thursday, June 15, from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for the last new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight" for the 2022-2023 school year. This week, we will catch up on the amazing progress being made on the new elementary school building. Thanks for watching!
On Friday morning, Westfield Intermediate School fifth graders Sophia Weingert and Grace Biswa, and sixth grader Caileigh Martinez, their reading teacher JoAnn Roselli and Principal Gregory Miller took a special trip to Chrissy G’s Bakery on Elm Street to celebrate the girls’ winning cupcake designs.
Roselli explained that recently she assigned her students the task of writing in enough detail so that a baker could create a themed cupcake from their description. She showed them Chrissy G’s website and explained that she would email their designs to the bakery.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/06/westfield-students-see-their-cupcake-concepts-come-to-life-at-chrissy-gs.html
If you missed yesterday's "Superintendent's Spotlight", please click on the link below. This week, our guest was Highland Elementary School Principal Jill Phelan. Not only did we learn about some of the great things happening at Highland School, but we also spent some time recognizing National Donald Duck Day. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT6qVOYpmgQ
Join us on Thursday, June 8, from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a brand-new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we will talk with Principal Jill Phelan about all of the great things happening at Highland Elementary School. Thanks for watching!
The city will hold a formal groundbreaking ceremony at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, for the as-yet-unnamed new elementary school under construction at 133 Franklin St., Westfield.
The project actually broke ground in late April 2023 and has an anticipated completion date of November 2024, according to a recent update released by P3 Project Planning Professionals, the owner’s project manager employed by the city.
“While construction projects can experience supply delays, the project team has taken this into consideration when choosing materials and when submitting orders for materials and we do not anticipate supply delays to affect the project schedule,” according to P3.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/06/symbolic-groundbreaking-for-westfield-elementary-school-slated-for-wednesday.html
When 14 fourth graders from Southampton Road Elementary School visited the Whip City Animal Sanctuary on Montgomery Road recently, they also brought a check for $400. The money will be used to buy more hay for the farm’s “animal friends.”
With more than 50 animals to feed, one of the Westfield farm’s biggest expenses is hay – and lots of it. Hay costs are about $300 a week, so the large donation from the students was greatly appreciated.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/06/westfield-schools-kiwanis-k-kids-raise-400-for-whip-city-animal-sanctuary.html
Adopt a Classroom update. Today Barnes Regional Airport Manager visited 3rd graders at Abner Gibbs today as a follow up to a field trip the class went on in early May. Chris talked about opportunities to be exposed to aviation through Westfield Public Schools. Students learned that they will take a field trip to Barnes in 6th grade to learn about different career pathways, the Wright Flight Program that starts in 7th grade, where upon completion of the program they can fly with an instructor, and the Aviation Program at Westfield Technical Academy.
Chris talked about the various pathways you can take in aviation from being a pilot, airport manager, air traffic controller, civil engineer, FAA inspector, and more. He also answered a range of questions from our students who were eager to learn. Thank you Chris for visiting us today at Abner Gibbs!
If you missed this morning's episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight", please click on the link below. This week, we spoke with Senator John Velis about the mental health crisis and what he is proposing to increase services for students. We also celebrated National Doughnut Day with some treats from Mrs. Murphy's. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_zpfDQZVi0
Join us on Thursday, June 1, from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a brand-new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we will talk with State Senator John Velis. Thanks for watching!
It’s official – it’s a three-peat!. Westfield sophomore pitcher Shea Hurley scattered four hits, struck out 11 batters and the Bombers won their third straight Western Massachusetts crown with a 9-0 shutout of Agawam in the PVIAC Class A softball championship game Tuesday at Westfield State University.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/05/bombers-latest-feat-is-a-three-peat.html
If you missed the latest episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight", click on the link below. On last week's show, we talked with Food Services Director Rachel Kania about all our school breakfast and lunch program. We also talked about some famous people named George on National George Day. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XjU0WMpDBM
The Westfield High School boys' volleyball team continues to age like a fine wine.
For nearly a decade, the Westfield Bombers have dominated the high school volleyball landscape in Western Massachusetts. For a better part of that time, they have also proven to be the best in the state.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/05/bombers-win-8th-straight-wmass-title-with-sweep-of-putnam-in-pviac-class-a-boys-volleyball-finals.html
Munger Hill Elementary School second graders put on their Wax Museum on Thursday, May 25. Each student chose a subject and researched their lives over the past four weeks. They dressed as their subject and brought them to life, sharing the details that they learned through their research. Guests to the museum had to push the button on their arms to bring the "statues" to life and hear the reports.
Westfield Public Schools Quarterly Newsletter is out now, you can read it by clicking here: https://www.schoolsofwestfield.org/o/wps/page/district-newsletter for updates from our various departments and important dates and events coming up.
Westfield’s public schools have formed a partnership with Ignite! Reading, a one-on-one tutoring program for students who are learning how to read.
Curriculum Director Susan Dargie and Director of Assessment Christine Shea implemented a pilot of the program on March 13 in Highland Elementary School and Franklin Avenue Elementary School. Altogether, 74 kindergarten to second graders in Highland and Franklin Avenue are participating in the pilot.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/05/westfield-partners-with-virtual-tutoring-company-for-elementary-reading-help.html
Join us on Thursday, May 25, an hour early, from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a brand-new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we will talk with Food Services Director Rachel Kania about Westfield EATS, our school breakfast and lunch programs. Thanks for watching!
If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" yesterday, please click on the link below. This week, we spoke with Principal Alexandra Clines about Munger Hill Elementary School. Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts students also helped us recognize "I Love Reese's Day". Thanks for watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCXBxI4WJ9I